I'm going nuts here! I'm looking for the best bang for the buck in a 50" plasma HD TV. So far it looks like the Zenith at $2519 (Circuit City) is my best option. Any thoughts out there?

I don't know a lot about HD tv's but a friend swears by Sony. They are more expensive though.

Are you set on a plasma? I know the technology has gotten better but they run so incredibly hot that there is a possiblity of a "burn in image" on the set.

I woudl actually recommend an LCD HDTV over the plasma. The colors and thickness is about the saem (the lcd may be a little thinner) but I prefer them due to weight and cooler operation temperature.

Sharp make a great LCD as does SONY (any SONY TV is better than any other competitor but you're going to pay for it.)

Samsung makes nice stuff too.

Vargas has it right. LCD's are the best buy. No burn in.

I don't know a lot about HD tv's but a friend swears by Sony. They are more expensive though.

Sony has gotten out of plasma and is strictly LCD.

Are you set on a plasma? I know the technology has gotten better but they run so incredibly hot that there is a possiblity of a "burn in image" on the set.

I woudl actually recommend an LCD HDTV over the plasma. The colors and thickness is about the saem (the lcd may be a little thinner) but I prefer them due to weight and cooler operation temperature.

Sharp make a great LCD as does SONY (any SONY TV is better than any other competitor but you're going to pay for it.)

Samsung makes nice stuff too.

I've been advised that for sports like football and hockey, plasma is better at tracking the puck/ball without having tails/streaks showing. The newer plasmas have pixel shift and other technology that's supposed to minimize the risk of burn-in.

The heat part doesn't bother me per se, because the TV will be siiting on a stand in my lower level.

They also have 1080p HDTV's out now, which have a better resolution then the 1080I and the 720p tv's. I'm not sure if Plasma's come in 1080p, but if you are getting a new TV You might wanna think about getting one if the price is right.

I have also heard that LCD is better than Plasma. Make sure you do your research.

I've been advised that for sports like football and hockey, plasma is better at tracking the puck/ball without having tails/streaks showing.

That sounds like plasma people propaganda. I had a 32 inch LCD and it made the sidelines and basepaths look blurry on HD broadcasts. I upgraded to a 40 inch LCD and the picture on sports telecasts (or anything else) couldn't be better. I think the screen size may have something to do with that rumor.

The only tails/streaks are from David Ortiz's mammoth game winning home run blasts.

The decision between plasma and LCD depends upon the dimensions of the room you are putting the TV into. Too much screen can be a problem if you don't have the room to show it. Plus, you have to consider how much you are going to use the TV and what you will watch on it. Video games may not be a good idea with a plasma, but LCD is no problem.